Gabon coach slams VAR, calls defeat to Nigeria “deeply unfair”
Gabon head coach Thierry Mouyouma has delivered a scathing assessment of the officiating and expressed deep disappointment after his side’s 4-1 extra-time loss to the Super Eagles ended their 2026 FIFA World Cup dream.
The Panthers forced extra time with Mario Lemina’s dramatic 89th-minute equaliser but collapsed in the additional period, conceding three goals as Nigeria advanced to Sunday’s final playoff round.
Mouyouma said the defeat was devastating for his squad, particularly senior players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Mario Lemina and Bruno Ecuele-Manga, who may have seen their last opportunity to play at a World Cup slip away.
Claims of officiating injustice
Speaking to Afrik Foot, Mouyouma acknowledged Nigeria’s dominance in the first half but insisted Gabon were the better team after the break.
However, he argued that a key refereeing decision swung the match against his side.
At 0-0, Bright Osayi-Samuel appeared to pull the shirt of Aaron Appidangoyé in the box. Despite a six-minute VAR review, the referee waved play on.
“Of course it was a penalty for us,” Mouyouma said. “I don’t understand how the referee, after spending six minutes reviewing the footage, didn’t call the foul.
“You can clearly see him pulling our player’s shirt. It’s incomprehensible. VAR is supposed to solve problems, but it can create them. This decision is deeply unfair, and we feel wronged.”
He added that the penalty, if awarded and converted, could have “changed everything.”
Gabon’s collapse in extra time
Mouyouma said Lemina’s late equaliser should have provided momentum heading into extra time, but individual mistakes proved costly.
“In the first half, we acknowledge Nigeria’s dominance. But the second half was in our favour,” he said. “In extra time, we made costly errors and gradually fell apart.”
Attention turns to AFCON 2025
With World Cup qualification no longer in reach, Gabon’s players will return to their clubs before regrouping later in the year to prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
The Panthers face a difficult AFCON group featuring Cameroon, Mozambique and defending champions Ivory Coast.
The coaching staff hope the team can channel the pain of their playoff exit into a stronger showing at the continental tournament.
